Protein C activity and antigen levels in childhood.

Hereditary protein C deficiency is an important risk factor for thrombosis. To enable its diagnosis shortly after birth, we determined reference values of protein C antigen and activity levels for the first 3 months of life. To establish an age-related range of protein C levels we also determined median values for individuals up to 18 years of age.

[Is circumoral cyanosis a sign of peripheral or of central cyanosis?].

Two hundred Dutch paediatricians were invited to give their description and interpretation of the concept of 'circumoral cyanosis'. Analysis of the results shows great inter-doctor variability: 63% considered the circumoral cyanosis as a pathologic sign and 70% as an expression of central cyanosis, although in textbooks and publications this sign is defined as an expression of peripheral cyanosis and is not considered to be pathological.

Low antithrombin III: accurate predictor of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates.

A prospective study was performed in premature neonates to determine the predictive values of antithrombin III (AT III) deficiency immediately after birth, for the subsequent development of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and death. Of the 81 premature infants studied, 24 developed IRDS (30%). Of these 24 premature infants, 8 also developed IVH and 9 infants died within the follow-up period of 7 days.

Low AIDS attack rate among Dutch haemophiliacs compared to homosexual men: a correlate of HIV antigenaemia frequencies.

A cohort of 180 haemophiliacs followed between 1983 and 1986 and a cohort of 961 homosexual men followed between 1984 and 1986 were compared for the prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 antibody (HIV-1-Ab) seropositivity, the incidence of AIDS-related complex (ARC) and AIDS and the prevalence and incidence of serological and immunological markers for HIV-related disease progression. Among the haemophiliacs 23 (12.8%) patients were HIV-1-Ab seropositive at entry and 20 (12.

HIV-antibody seroconversions in Dutch haemophiliacs using heat-treated and non heat-treated coagulation factor concentrates.

A national multicentre study was performed to investigate the effects of donorselection and the use of heat-treated plasma products on seroconversion to HIV in 157 Dutch haemophiliacs. All patients included in the study were seronegative for HIV antibodies in 1983. Thirteen percent (20/157) seroconverted between 1983 and 1986.